Page 30 of Scoring the Player
Did you know rose helps with depression?
The filling is a vanilla and cardamom-infused crème pâtissière.
Why cardamom?
Well, it’s known to enhance pleasure.
In case none of this is clear, I’ll speak plainly.
I want you in all the ways I can have you.
You have walls, and that’s okay.
Walls, too, are part of a home.
I’ll stand outside on devotional guard, so you don’t have to work so hard to protect them.
Put me out of my misery.
Go on a date with me?
Salem
P.S. It’s dairy-free. Catharine wouldn’t give me your number, but she shared that you’re lactose intolerant. Full ingredients on the card in the envelope.
P.P.S. Why are you so beautiful? You turn a sidelines chair into a throne. You do know you minding your business on a bench is how this started?
“Cade,you want to weigh in here? Are we cutting the cake or not?” Coach asks, pulling me away from reading the phone number scrawled at the bottom.
“You good?” Sid nods to the letter.
My chest thumps so hard, they’ll hear it if I open my mouth.
“Yo,” Sid calls out. “Can we get a bottle of water over here?”
I stare at the rust-colored leaves and cream flowers emerging from the base of the cake.
How does he know I struggle with depression?
A bottle of water appears.
I tuck the letter back in my waistband and then down the water.
“Wes is gonna fall into it if we don’t cut it soon,” Nick says.
“We can’t cut it. It’s like slashing through an Amy Sherald painting,” Johan protests.
Sid’s head snaps back. “That’s dark, bro.”
“We aren’t eating it?” Wes looks to me. “We have to.”
“Agreed.” Nick nods. “It’s an immersive experience.”
“Ah, I mentioned my depression in my coming out article,” I mumble.
“He’s talking to himself.” Johan nudges Sid.
“Hey,” Sid says. I look up, and he snaps a photo. “To show your kids one day.”
